Support device for prevention of ankle injuries

ABSTRACT

A support device for prevention of ankle injuries is disclosed, wherein a support member of flexible sheet material includes a foot receiving member adapted to receive the rear portion of a wearer&#39;&#39;s foot and cover the ankle, and stirrup portions extending upwardly from the foot receiving member and adapted to contact opposite sides of the wearer&#39;&#39;s leg, above the ankle. No part of the foot receiving member intrudes into the area of the calf muscles of the wearer, so that restriction of movement of the Achilles&#39;&#39; tendon is avoided. Also, no part of the foot receiving member extends forwardly beyond the metatarsus of the wearer&#39;&#39;s foot, and the forward and upper portions of the foot receiving member are open to avoid restriction of desired foot movement.

United States Patent 2,450,862 10/1948 Wilkinson 128/80 FOREIGN PATENTS12,988 1894 Great Britain 128/166 314,901 10/1919 Germany 36/25 NPrimary Examiner-Channing L. Pace Assistant Examiner-Channing L. PaceArtorneySeidel, Gonda & Goldhammer ABSTRACT: A support device forprevention of ankle injuries is disclosed, wherein a support member offlexible sheet.

material includes a foot receiving member adapted to receive the rearportion of a wearers foot and cover the ankle, and stirrup portionsextending upwardly from the foot receiving member and adapted to contactopposite sides of the wearers leg, above the ankle. No part of the footreceiving member intrudes into the area of the calf muscles of thewearer, so that restriction of movement of the Achilles tendon isavoided. Also, no part of the foot receiving member extends forwardlybeyond the metatarsus of the wearer's foot, and the forward and upperportions of the foot receiving member are open to avoid restriction ofdesired foot movement.

SUPPORT DEVICE FOR PREVENTION OF ANKLE INJURIES This invention relatesto a support device for the prevention of ankle injuries. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a protective support device forpreventing injuries such as ankle sprains to persons, particularlyyouths, engaging in athletic events.

The ankle is one of the most common sites of injury sustained duringathletic events. Injury to the connective tissues of the ankle commonlyoccurs in athletes of all ages, but is most common in persons betweenthe ages of 8 and 20 years, for reasons set forth below.

The area of human anatomy known as the ankle comprises the lowerterminus of the fibula and tibia bones of the leg. The fibula and tibiaarticulate with the bone of the foot known as the astragalus. Theastragalus in turn articulates with the other bones of the foot,including the calcaneus or heel bone, and the scaphoid. This section ofthe foot is known generally as the instep or tarsus. The forwardmostbones of the tarsus articulate in turn with the metatarsals. Themetatarsals are in turn articulated with the bones of the toes.

Sharp turning of the ankle, which is of course likely to occur in manyforms of athletics, may result in overstressing of the ligaments andtendons in the area of the ankle and tarsus, and thus in the injurycommonly known as a sprain."

Persons other than adults are especially susceptible to ankle injuriesdue to the developmental process of the bones of the lower leg and footduring maturation. In children, the lower extremity of the fibula, knownas the external malleolus, is cartilaginous. The cartilaginous extremityis referred to in medical terms as an epiphysis. The process ofossification takes place in the lower extremity from age 2 to about age20, at which time the epiphysis is fused to the fibula.

Fracture of the epiphysis of the fibula is a quite common injury, andone frequently encountered in young participants in athletics.

Ankle injuries are demonstrably fewer in well-conditioned athletes.Because they frequently engage in athletics without proper conditioning,and because of the above-described peculiarities of the skeletaldevelopment, young people are particularly apt to suffer ankle injuries.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel andunobvious support device to aid in the prevention of ankle injuries.

It is another object of the invention to provide a support deviceapplicable to the foot or sock of a wearer, and effective lessen therisk of sprain or epiphyseal injury.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a support devicewhich substantially lessens the risk of ankle injury with minimalrestriction of foot movement.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in thedrawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing one form ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, showing the support device inaccordance with the invention, in place on the foot of a wearer;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lower and rear parts of a footof a wearer, with the device of the present invention in place;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view, showing the device in place on awearers foot.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicatelike elements, there is seen in FIG. 1 a support device designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10.

The support device 10, in the embodiment seen in FIG. 1, comprises abody member or shell 12, shaped to conform generally to the rear portionof the foot and lower leg. A layer 14 of adhesive material is applied toan inner face of the shell 12.

The shell 12 comprises a foot receiving member 16 conforming generallyin shape to the rear portion of a foot. The foot receiving member I6 isopen at the instep to receive the foot, and as best seen in FIGS. 2 and3', is so dimensioned as to cover the ankle joint of a wearer. The footreceiving member 16 includes a forwardly extending portion 18 adapted tocontact a portion of the sole of the foot. The forwardly extendingportion 18 extends no further forwardly along the foot than to about theforward extreme of the metatarsus.

The foot receiving member 16 is defined, at its rearward limit, by anupwardly extending portion 20, adapted to contact the rear of the footand leg adjacent the lower extreme of the Achilles tendon. As seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, the upwardly extending portion 20 terminates short of thecalf muscles of the wearer.

Stirrup portions 22 extend upwardly from side portions 24 of the footreceiving member 16, on opposite sides on the leg of the wearer.

Securement of the stirrup portions 22 to the leg insures tension in thestirrup portions 22 and the side portions 24 of foot receiving member16, particularly at the areas overlying the ankle joint. Also, tensionin the stirrup portions 22 causes the rear of the wearers foot to seatsnugly in the pocket member 16. If the support device 10 is properlyfitted, the wearer cannot feel its presence.

It is contemplated that the present support device 10 be made in severalsizes. For example, the support device 10 could be made small, medium"and large" sizes, or even in sizes corresponding to ordinary sock orshoe sizes.

The generally V-shaped opening defined by rear edges of the stirrupportions 22 and an upper edge of the upwardly extending portion 20prevents restriction of movement of the calf muscle and Achilles tendon.Such restriction, if present, would interfere with normal running.Moreover, because the foot receiving member 16 is substantially open atthe front, and the forwardly extending portion 18 terminates at aboutthe forward extreme of the metatarsus, the support device 10 does notinterfere with plantarflexion or dorsiflexion of the foot.

The present support device 10 can be applied directly to the skin ofthewearer. Alternatively, can be applied over the sock. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the layer 14 of adhesive material serves to couple thesupport device 10 to the foot of a wearer. Although the layer 14 is thepresently preferred means for applying the device 10 to the foot, othermeans can be used.

For example, there is seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, an alternative form, whereinelements corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1 are represented by likereference numerals. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, strips 26of adhesive tape or the like are applied across the front of the bodymember or shell 12 of the support device it). It is within the scope ofthe present invention to provide means other than those illustrated tocouple the support device 10 to the foot. For example, flaps having snapfasteners at their ends, matable with fasteners on the body member 12,could be used.

The body member 12 may be constructed with any suitable flexible sheetmaterial. For example, sheet polyethylene, vinyl or like plasticpolymeric material may be used. The thickness of the material formingthe body member 12 is not critical, although the yield stress of thematerial should not be exceeded by the stresses encountered in usage.The material may be formed in any conventional manner to conformgenerally to the back portion of the foot. It is not necessary that thesupport device 10 be tailored to conform the foot of each individualwearer. Provision of the support device 10 in standard sizes issufficient.

Although disclosed primarily as a device for the prevention of ankleinjuries, the present device 10 is also believed effective in reducingother athletic injuries to the rear portion of the foot. For example,the device 10 reduces the likelihood of injury to the epiphysis of thecalcaneus, a common heel injury in young persons.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather thanto the specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. An ankle support constructed of flexible sheet material andcomprising a foot receiving member open at the instep to receive therear portion of a foot and adapted to cover the ankle of a wearer, saidfoot receiving member including a forwardly extending portion adapted tocontact a portion of the sole of the foot and extend no further forwardthan the forward extreme of the metatarsus, and an upwardly extendingportion adapted to contact the rear of the foot and leg adjacent theAchilles tendon, said upwardly extending portion being so dimensioned asto terminate short of the calf muscle of a wearer, stirrup portionsextending upwardly from opposite sides of said foot receiving member andadapted to contact opposite sides of the leg of the wearer above theankle, and a coating of adhesive material on the inner surface of saidfoot receiving member and said stirrups for coupling said support to thefoot and leg of a wearer.

2. An ankle support constructed of flexible sheet material andcomprising a foot receiving member open at the instep to receive therear portion of a foot and adapted to cover the ankle of a wearer, saidfoot receiving member including a forwardly extending portion adapted tocontact a portion of the sole of the foot, and an upwardly extendingportion adapted to contact the rear of the foot and leg adjacent theAchilles tendon, said upwardly extending portion being adapted toterminate short of the calf muscle of a wearer, stirrup portionsextending upwardly from opposite sides of said foot receiving member andadapted to contact opposite sides of the leg of a wearer above the ankleand a coating of adhesive material on the inner surface of said footreceiving member and said stirrups for coupling said support to the footand leg of a wearer.

3. An ankle support in accordance with claim 2, wherein said support isconstructed of a flexible plastic polymeric material.

4. An ankle support constructed of a flexible sheet material andcomprising a foot receiving member open at the instep to receive therear portion of a foot and adapted to cover the ankle of a wearer, saidfoot receiving member including a forwardly extending portion adapted tocontact a portion of the sole of the foot and extend no further forwardthan the forward extreme of the metatarsus, and an upwardly extendingportion adapted to contact the rear of the foot and leg adjacent theAchilles tendon, said upwardly extending portion being so dimensioned asto terminate short of the calf muscle of the wearer, stirrup portionsextending upwardly from opposite sides of said foot receiving member andadapted to contact opposite sides of the leg of a wearer above theankle, and means for coupling said support to the foot and leg of awearer, comprising closure means for selectively interconnectingopposite sides of said foot receiving member, and further closure meansinterconnecting only front portions of said stirrup portions.

5. An ankle support constructed of flexible sheet material andcomprising a foot receiving member open at the instep to receive therear portion of a foot and adapted to cover the ankle of a wearer, saidfoot receiving member including a forwardly extending portion adapted tocontact a portion of the sole of the foot of a wearer, said forwardlyextending portion being adapted to extend no further forward on the footthan the forward extreme of the metatarsus, stirrup portions extendingupwardly from opposite sides of said foot receiving member and adaptedto contact opposite sides of the leg of a wearer above the ankle, and acoating of adhesive material on the inner surface of said foot receivingmember and said stirrups for coupling said support to the foot and legofa wearer.

1. An ankle support constructed of flexible sheet material andcomprising a foot receiving member open at the instep to receive therear portion of a foot and adapted to cover the ankle of a wearer, saidfoot receiving member including a forwardly extending portion adapted tocontact a portion of the sole of the foot and extend no further forwardthan the forward extreme of the metatarsus, and an upwardly extendingportion adapted to contact the rear of the foot and leg adjacent theAchilles tendon, said upwardly extending portion being so dimensioned asto terminate short of the calf muscle of a wearer, stirrup portionsextending upwardly from opposite sides of said foot receiving member andadapted to contact opposite sides of the leg of the wearer above theankle, and a coating of adhesive material on the inner surface of saidfoot receiving member and said stirrups for coupling said support to thefoot and leg of a wearer.
 2. An ankle support constructed of flexiblesheet material and comprising a foot receiving member open at the instepto receive the rear portion of a foot and adapted to cover the ankle ofa wearer, said foot receiving member including a forwardly extendingportion adapted to contact a portion of the sole of the foot, and anupwardly extending portion adapted to contact the rear of the foot andleg adjacent the Achilles tendon, said upwardly extending portion beingadapted to terminate short of the calf muscle of a wearer, stirrupportions extending upwardly from opposite sides of said foot receivingmember and adapted to contact opposite sides of the leg of a wearerabove the ankle and a coating of adhesive material on the inner surfaceof said foot receiving member and said stirrups for coupling saidsupport to the foot and leg of a wearer.
 3. An ankle support inaccordance with claim 2, wherein said support is constructed of aflexible plastic polymeric material.
 4. An ankle support constructed ofa flexible sheet material and comprising a foot receiving member open atthe instep to receive the rear portion of a foot and adapted to coverthe ankle of a wearer, said foot receiving member including a forwardlyextending portion adapted to contact a portion of thE sole of the footand extend no further forward than the forward extreme of themetatarsus, and an upwardly extending portion adapted to contact therear of the foot and leg adjacent the Achilles tendon, said upwardlyextending portion being so dimensioned as to terminate short of the calfmuscle of the wearer, stirrup portions extending upwardly from oppositesides of said foot receiving member and adapted to contact oppositesides of the leg of a wearer above the ankle, and means for couplingsaid support to the foot and leg of a wearer, comprising closure meansfor selectively interconnecting opposite sides of said foot receivingmember, and further closure means interconnecting only front portions ofsaid stirrup portions.
 5. An ankle support constructed of flexible sheetmaterial and comprising a foot receiving member open at the instep toreceive the rear portion of a foot and adapted to cover the ankle of awearer, said foot receiving member including a forwardly extendingportion adapted to contact a portion of the sole of the foot of awearer, said forwardly extending portion being adapted to extend nofurther forward on the foot than the forward extreme of the metatarsus,stirrup portions extending upwardly from opposite sides of said footreceiving member and adapted to contact opposite sides of the leg of awearer above the ankle, and a coating of adhesive material on the innersurface of said foot receiving member and said stirrups for couplingsaid support to the foot and leg of a wearer.